Apparatus for presenting information to an airborne aircraft and method of using the same

Abstract

Apparatus ( 1 ) suitable for presenting information to an airborne aircraft ( 20 ). The apparatus ( 1 ) comprises an electronic visual display ( 2 ) configured to be positioned with a substantially horizontal orientation proximate to a landing area ( 30 ) for the aircraft ( 20 ). An interface ( 5 ) is configured to receive sensor data from one or more meteorological sensors ( 4 ). A controller ( 3 ) is operatively connected to the display ( 2 ) and to the interface ( 5 ) and is configured to cause the display ( 2 ) to display information relating to the sensor data ( 4 ).

1 . An apparatus for presenting information to an airborne aircraft, the apparatus comprising:
 an electronic visual display configured to be positioned with a substantially horizontal orientation proximate to a landing area for the aircraft;   an interface configured to receive sensor data from one or more meteorological sensors; and   a controller operatively connected to the display and to the interface, the controller configured to cause the display to display information relating to the sensor data.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one of the meteorological sensors. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the one or more meteorological sensors comprise:
 an anemometer and at least some of the information relates to wind speed proximate to the landing area;   a wind vane and at least some of the information relates to wind direction proximate to the landing area; and/or   a barometer and at least some of the information relates to atmospheric pressure proximate to the landing area.   
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 one or more devices;   wherein the controller is operatively connected to the one or more devices and is configured to (i) receive incoming data via one or more of the devices and to control the display based at least in part on the incoming data or (ii) cause one or more of the devices to provide outgoing data relating to at least some of the information displayed on the display.   
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein at least one of the devices is a user interface. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein at least one of the devices is connectable to a mobile network to receive messages comprising at least some of the incoming data or to send messages comprising at least some of the outgoing data. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the devices is connectable to the internet to receive at least some of the incoming data or to provide at least some of the outgoing data. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus according to  claim 4  configured to authenticate a person seeking to control operation of the display or obtain the information to which the outgoing data relates. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein at least one of the devices is configured to receive radio frequency signals transmitted by the aircraft comprising at least some of the incoming data. 
     
     
         10 . apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein the radio frequency signals comprise an identifier of the aircraft or of an emergency situation and the controller is configured to control operation of the display in dependence on the identifier. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein controlling operation of the display comprises switching the display on or off or causing the display to display particular information. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein the controller is configured to control operation of one or more external devices in response to at least some of the incoming data. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  configured to display information relating to a status and/or identity of the landing area. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  further comprising a further display for presenting information to a person on the ground and wherein the controller is configured to cause the further display to display at least some of the information displayed on the display. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  further comprising:
 a mount to enable the display to be mounted on a substantially horizontal surface. 
 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein the mount comprises:
 a single leg attached to the display via a joint which allows an angle of the display relative to the leg to be adjusted; or   a plurality of legs, each of which has an adjustable length.   
     
     
         17 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  further comprising:
 a system configured to avoid or remove snow, ice, water or dirt on a surface overlying the front of the display. 
 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the display is made up of a plurality of interconnectable units. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the display is configured to present the information by way of non-visible light. 
     
     
         20 . A method of comprising:
 positioning a display with a substantially horizontal orientation proximate to a landing area for the aircraft;   causing an interface to receive the sensor data from the one or more meteorological sensors; and   causing the display to display the information relating to the sensor data.